Specifications
1st tier: 151 troops, welcoming foreign heads of the state
2nd tier: 127 troops, army, navy and air force, welcoming high-ranking foreign generals
3rd tier: 101 troops, single arm of the services, welcoming commanders of certain arms of the services
The honor guard is also responsible for memorial services at the Monument to People’s Heroes and flag raising ceremonies at major events.
Costume
The honor guard uniform has changed five times. The first served in the early years of the PRC and included military badges. The second appeared in 1955. The third came to service in 1965 with red collar badges and cockades. The fourth served between 1985 and 1988. The fifth, which appeared in 1988, had major differences to the previous four costumes.
The honor guards appeared in new uniforms on August 19, 2014, when welcoming Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov.
The changes were based on military traditions and national features. Innovative designs were adopted in style, fabric, collar and symbols. The new uniforms have 18 variations in terms of gender, service, rank and season.
